MORE than 20,000 people in Britain could be living with undiagnosed Parkinson’s disease, a new study has said.

Parkinson’s UK has warned that the NHS backlog following the Covid pandemic has left thousands of people in a state of uncertainty.

Research by the charity found that diagnosis rates dropped by 26 per cent — from 26,000 to 19,300 — between 2019 and 2021. It estimates that around 21,000 people could be living undiagnosed.

Caroline Rassell, chief executive of Parkinson’s UK, said: “The painfully long Covid backlog, and slow recovery of neurology services, has left thousands of people with Parkinson’s struggling to be seen.

“Some people are waiting five years to see a neurologist.

“All too often we hear they are bounced between services, in a state of uncertainty, fearing the worst while they wait for a diagnosis.”

The government was contacted for comment.